BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Broward Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony announced the unexpected death of a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighter/paramedic who suffered a medical emergency while on duty Easter morning.
Around 6:55 a.m. Sunday, deputies and fire rescue personnel responded to a medical call inside the Palm Garage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. When they arrived, they found Firefighter/Paramedic Steven Lepselter, 54, unresponsive on the ground. He was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Lepselter had been ending his fire watch at the airport and was preparing to head to his regular shift in Weston when he was found.
Lepselter served Broward County for more than 19 years, joining BSO’s Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services in January 2007. Throughout his career, he worked in multiple specialized divisions, including Airport, Seaport, Hazardous Materials, Air Rescue and the Training Division — where he was known for mentoring and shaping the next generation of firefighter/paramedics. Sheriff Tony remembered him as someone who consistently put the needs of the community and his fellow team members above all else. “This loss of Firefighter/Paramedic Lepselter is deeply felt across our entire organization,” Tony said.
Arrangements are pending.
